Eldred Jackson, deputy director of administration at the Justice Department’s Justice Program Office, told the panel what he’d like from the General Services Administration and its Multiple Award Schedules program.
1. Better direction when task orders span several schedule contracts.
2. Visits from GSA contracting officers.
3. More emphasis on the relationship between government and contracting officers.
4. Training for vendors on marketing their schedules contracts.
5. More GSA service after the sale.
- Matthew Weigelt
Government and industry have willingly and generously shared their opinions on improving the General Services Administration’s schedules program, but the most important constituency has been relatively silent.
In four meetings that the Multiple Award Schedules Advisory Panel has held since May, only one customer agency has spoken before the panel, Eldred Jackson, deputy director of administration at the Justice Department’s Justice Program Office.
Among other things, Jackson told the panel that GSA officials should give him better direction in using the schedules, especially when a task spans several different schedule contracts. Then the agency should follow up, he said.
“Agencies should not feel that after a task order is awarded they are on their own,” he said. “Unfortunately, some contracting officers believe that GSA is only interested in revenue in lieu of customer service.” Panel members jotted notes and listened as Jackson spoke.
The day after Jackson spoke, panel members compiled a list of other customer agencies to invite to speak. They want to hear from large departments and small agencies, and they are seeking perspectives from a variety of agency employees tasked with purchasing goods and services.
“That’s where the rubber meets the road,” said Thedlus Thompson, panel member and senior assistant general counsel at GSA.
The panel will be sending out invitations with a list of questions for customers to address. Here are the questions reflecting the panel’s main interests.
Do you consider a best value to include more than price?
What do you expect from GSA’s schedules?
Do the schedules meet your needs?
Do you believe the schedules give you the best price?
In interviews, several government officials said best value comprises more than price.
Jackie Patillo, deputy chief information officer at the Transportation Department, said the key ingredient of best value is the suitability of the product or service for the purpose. The buyer might spend a little more money, but that’s fine if the end result is getting the option that is best able to meet the agency’s needs.
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